Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Kent, WA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Kent

Washington
145

San Francisco is 84% more expensive than Kent.

$2,419/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,833/mo ↓ 24%
$141,446/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$90,416/yr ↓ 36%
$1,380,500 ↑ 157%
Home Value
$537,500 ↓ 61%
$2,620/mo ↑ 37%
Owner Costs
$1,915/mo ↓ 27%
836,321
Population
135,015

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Kent, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 145 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $586/month cheaper in Kent, saving renters about $7,032/year.

Median household income is $51,030/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $537,500 in Kent.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Kent residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Kent — common questions

Is San Francisco or Kent cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kent is cheaper to live in with an index of 145 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Kent?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Kent it's $1,833/month — a difference of $586/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Kent?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $90,416 in Kent. Median household income is $51,030/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Kent?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Kent has a cost index of 145 with rent of $1,833/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Kent details →

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